Hello friends, family, and strangers (I flatter myself)! I am a recently-graduated girl finding my way in the "real world" (apparently, I've been floating around the fake world for the past two decades). Many of my friends' "real world"s consist of cubicles, nine-to-fives, marriage, babies, and other such grown-up things. My real world looks a little different. Yes, I still get up and go to work every morning, same as they do. But instead of battling fax machines, computer programs, disgruntled spouses and dirty diapers, I arm myself against a legion of 14-year-old boys. Well, 83 of them to be exact. You see, I teach 8th-grade boys' Science in an inner-city, high-poverty school. What it is not: glamorous, prestigious, boring. What it is: humorous, heartbreaking, and the most challenging thing I will ever do.

The stories I tell and the people I describe are real; you can't make this stuff up. If you are new to my blog, I hope you'll start at the beginning and fall in love with its characters, just as I have.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Missing you.

I went to the Alabama game in Atlanta this weekend.  I was so excited to go to the game, cheer on my team, and see my friends and family.  I did all of those things, but I left sad.  Instead of traveling back home behind the team bus, I'm headed the opposite direction.  I think that seeing some of the people I miss the most just reminds me of what I'm so far away from now.  And then my friends who weren't there but should have been made me feel like I was missing something the whole weekend.  I kept checking to make sure I had my ticket and my purse...

I missed a call long distance call from East Asia from Susan and Lyndsey.  I can't remember the last time I didn't talk to Suey on a game day!  The whole weekend I wanted to turn to her and tell her something or ask her about the stats for the game.  It was weird wandering around East Andrews without her.  I sound like I am talking about a significant other.

The thought of going back to school tomorrow has painted my day off a shade of gray.  I'm not ready for the week ahead, even if it's a short one.  I already feel so behind as far as work; like I should have been doing stuff for school all weekend.  But that would have been miserable and exhausting.  How do I balance it all?

I keep asking God to show those kids to me through His eyes.  I need to love them like He loves them, but that requires me to see them in a completely different light.  And I need patience--patience like I've never needed before.  It's funny, the more I try to meet these students' needs, the more I realize I need myself.  

Good night, good night.  If you're reading this, know that you're missed.


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5 comments:

  1. ErinSeptember 7, 2009 at 10:46 PM

    Roll Sacajawea Roll

    ReplyDelete
  2. CatherineSeptember 10, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    Well thanks for making me cry. But just ask Suey or Liz or Dixie or Catherine. I cried when I saw fajita wraps in the pantry that I knew Susan had bought. Love you!!

    Suey's mom

    ReplyDelete
  3. CatherineSeptember 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    And I have no idea why it's putting my name as Catherine! But you know who it is. RTR

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnnSeptember 11, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    I love that you cried at fajita wraps! I cried when I heard "Whatever You LIke" come on in a bar. Pathetic.

    ReplyDelete
  5. CatherineSeptember 12, 2009 at 8:19 PM

    Ms. M...this is the real Catherine, suey's oldest sista. mom just informed me of your blog and I've read all your posts, just wanted to let you know I'm praying for you. The "real world" was scary for me, scary for everyone, but I can't imagine being in your shoes. You and Suey are so brave, I admire both of yal's commitment to serving the Lord. I know you will be truly blessed by your experience no matter how bad it sucks right now.

    I listen to "whatever you like" on my long stress reducing runs and think about you and the Pooz, yal are so cute and fun and I can't wait to hang out with both of you in January.

    ReplyDelete

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